THURSDAY 8 OCTOBER     MOUNT SURPRISE

It was a hot day.

John spent the morning at the computer, finalizing his “big letter” about the Cape trip and then getting it printed off to mail to the offspring, and his former colleagues.

He drove to the PO and mailed his efforts.

We watched the Savannahlander train come through and took some photos of it. This is a funny little tourist train that does a four day trip, once a week, out of Cairns as far west as Forsayth, and back. Its carriages are 1960’s vintage. Travellers do not eat or sleep on board, but the train stops overnight at Almaden, Forsayth and Mt Surprise where they stay at hotels or other accommodation.

After lunch, we cycled around the village, to have a look, which did not take long. I bought a few groceries at the store – only $12 worth. Arranged to have a topaz mining lesson tomorrow. We rode almost 3kms.

Then we had a very welcome swim and spent quite some time lazing in the pool. When the children get home from school, they too come swimming.

Tea was home made baked beans – excellent.

After dark, there was some thunder and lightning in the distance  – quite exhilarating to watch. It is definitely the storm season build up, which seems to maybe be a little earlier than usual?